Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009 - 19

January 19, 2009 www.autonewseurope.com · PAGE 19 Detroit auto show Despite downturn, Detroit products shine Richard Truett Automotive News Europe At this year’s Detroit auto show, the wider economic, political and industrial context was a bigger story than anything happening on the stands. This meant the automakers had to work hard, and with fewer resources, had to put their products center stage. Some managed better than others. Electric and hybrid cars featured heavily with almost every major automaker displaying at least one. But not all were executed well. Also prominent were stylish interiors with soft-touch and high-quality materials that tastefully blend the latest electronic infotainment and safety features. Here’s a look at some of our tops and flops. Top Mercedes-Benz Concept Blue Zero This compact five-door hatchback about the size of the Opel/Vauxhall Astra can be built with three environmentally friendly powertrains. The show car has a battery-powered electric powertrain, but the car’s architecture is adaptable to include a small gasoline engine that spins a generator. The third powertrain is a fuel cell, giving the car a range of about 400km. Top Volkswagen Concept BlueSport roadster Because of the economic downturn in US, sales of two-seat roadsters such as the Mazda MX-5 have been hit hard. But there aren’t any roadsters on the market there quite like this new Volkswagen, which sports a 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine and fuel economy as high as 4.70 liters per 100km on the highway. The concept car weighs just 1200kg and can reach 100kph in about 6.5 seconds. VW has been toying with the idea of offering a small roadster for years. One with a diesel engine would be a new twist. Flop Honda Insight There’s no doubt that this swoopy new gasoline-electric hybrid will be a technically excellent car that goes easy on the wallet when it comes time to fill the fuel tank. But park it next to the Toyota Prius and the cars look like twins. Styling has never been a strong point for Honda, but the Insight just looks too much like its Toyota rival. Worse, the interior trim on the dash, doors and console is the same hard, grainy unattractive plastic for which American cars are criticized. Technical excellence and Honda’s reputation for quality will probably make the Insight a sales success, but major demerits to Honda for the car’s unimaginative styling. Top Dodge Circuit This hot little electric sports car could be Tesla’s worst nightmare – if Chrysler produces the car. Like the Tesla Roadster, the Circuit gets its basic underpinnings and chassis from Lotus. But the styling is all Dodge, from the cross-hatch grille to the sweeping fastback roof. Power goes to the wheels from a 270hp electric motor that propels the car to 100kph in about 5.5 seconds. Chrysler officials let journalists drive an early version of the car last autumn. It was shockingly fast, handled well and could be brought to market for tens of thousands less than the electric Tesla Roadster, Chrysler co-President Tom LaSorda said at the time. Top Volvo S60 concept Volvo’s take on the latest European styling trend, the four-door coupe, is a sexy one. The curvy sedan has muscular fenders and an in-your-face grille with an oversized Volvo badge that looks like it was borrowed from a Volvo truck. But the really cool part is how the rear doors open. They are hinged at the rear and they swing back, clear of the body, to create a wide opening to the interior. There is no B-pillar. The car should evolve into the next production S60 due in a couple of years, minus the funky doors. Heard at the show “We will complete the plant in Chattanooga and will build cars there because I’m convinced America is the car country of the world and this crisis will, at some point, end.” Martin Winterkorn, VW group CEO “The world has changed and overt consumerism has probably disappeared for a while.” Stephen Odell, Volvo CEO “We will spend less on auto shows without looking cheap.” Dieter Zetsche, Daimler CEO “We will not take down our marketing spend.” Ian Robertson, BMW head of sales
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Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009

Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009
Contents
Give It Some Gas
Click and Buy
All Loved Up
Motown Hits
Heading South
Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009 - Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009
Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009 - Contents
Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009 - 3
Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009 - Give It Some Gas
Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009 - 5
Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009 - 6
Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009 - 7
Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009 - 8
Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009 - 9
Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009 - 10
Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009 - 11
Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009 - Click and Buy
Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009 - 13
Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009 - 14
Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009 - 15
Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009 - All Loved Up
Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009 - 17
Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009 - 18
Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009 - Motown Hits
Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009 - Heading South
Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009 - 21
Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009 - 22
Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009 - 23
Automotive News Europe - January 19, 2009 - 24
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